At the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh Donald Trump, welcoming the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchezhe was supposed to say with a smile: “Spain! Where are you, Spain? Have you already sorted it out with GDP? We'll get to that” This statement received wide coverage in the Spanish media.
A few days earlier, Trump threatened to expel Spain from NATObecause it was the only country that did not commit to increasing military spending to 5 percent GDP. Although such a mechanism does not formally exist, Washington has real tools to put pressure on Madrid – including influence on Morocco's migration policy and strategic US military bases in Morón de la Frontera and Rota.
At the same time, there is an increase in military spending discredits Sánchez in the eyes of his leftist coalition partner — Sumarwho opposes militarization and Trump's policies. For the prime minister, any sign of rapprochement with the American leader may mean losing the support of part of the electorate.
Spain from pacifism to realism
The antipathy towards the army in Spain goes back to ancient times Francoismwhen the army was a tool of repression. Although the country joined NATO in 1982limited its military involvement until the end of the 1990s, and the 1986 referendum showed deep social division.
Today the situation is changing. Spain actively supports Ukraineco-coordinates NATO's presence on Latviaparticipates in Baltic Sea patrols and air missions over the Baltic countries. Alone Pedro Sánchez visited Kyiv many timesdeclaring solidarity with Ukraine.
Uncertain political future
Despite the military turn, the ruling PSOE is losing support – in opinion polls it has 28 percent, while the conservative People's Party (PP) leads with 32 percent. Support for the far-right Vox increased to 17%, while the leftist Sumar dropped to 6%.
PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo announced that if he takes power, he will increase defense spending to 5%. GDP, saying: “It will be Sánchez who will leave La Moncloa (Spanish government palace – editor's note), not Spain from NATO.”
